AuthorTopic: Is There a Decision Between U Maryland and Temple? (Read 970 times)

Admittedly, I am bit unusual as an applicant ... long story.Regardless, the decision process has not gone as anticipated ...A little advice?

My choices are U Maryland versus Temple (with a $12K per year scholarship). I'm more interested in attending the best school I can (academics, challenging coursework, professors, student interaction/fun, quality of life), than worrying about my loans. So, since I don't put a ton of value on the Temple scholarship, is there any other significant reason to consider Temple over UML?

Stan

Hanging Around for the Summer: UMinn and W&M (both are preferred choices).

If you're interested in studying abroad, Temple offers loads of these programs, in Tokyo, Beijing, Rome, Cork, and Tel Aviv (which I'm sure you've already checked out). I can speak from experience that the Tokyo program, which I participated in this spring, is awesome. Feel free to PM me if you're interested. Maryland doesn't have such programs. Good luck, wherever you end up.

Admittedly, I am bit unusual as an applicant ... long story.Regardless, the decision process has not gone as anticipated ...A little advice?

My choices are U Maryland versus Temple (with a $12K per year scholarship). I'm more interested in attending the best school I can (academics, challenging coursework, professors, student interaction/fun, quality of life), than worrying about my loans. So, since I don't put a ton of value on the Temple scholarship, is there any other significant reason to consider Temple over UML?

Stan

Hanging Around for the Summer: UMinn and W&M (both are preferred choices).

I think the kicker should be where youd prefer working in. The Philly legal market or the MD/Bmore/overcrowded DC market. Not saying the Philly market isnt the best one either, but I feel like on the food chain, Temple is up there behind UPenn.

In DC however, theres Georgetown>GWU>GMU>American/MD/Catholic>Howard>UDC and plenty of grads from the T14.

I visited both schools on Friday. There wasn't a dramatic difference between the facilities. The UML facility was brand new in 2002, but the Temple facility was nice as well. However, I found a very different atmosphere at each school. UML seemed friendlier, more welcoming, and more accessible. Temple is located on a high speed city street, while UML was surrounded by a number of medium and slow paced streets. A large number of students live within walking distance at UML, while at Temple I'm not even sure that is an option. A lot of Temple students live in the Center City of Philly, a nice area. But that means they have to commute to get to classes.

At UML, there was more of an integrated social environment. The 1L/orientation groups are 25 students at UML, while they are 60 at Temple. The school at UML was a destination for students to gather for studying and fun, even now. The only students that I saw at Temple were taking a class in preparation for the bar exam. At UML, there were a number of students studying together or socializing off and on during my short visit. UML had a large number of student lounges, an outdoor patio area, an indoor cafe, open student mail slots, etc. Temple did have a few lounge areas, but I saw none of the other student/social-friendly features. At UML, I am sure there is much more student-to-student interaction -- academically and socially.

If you care only about the academic experience, the schools are probably not that much different -- each having its own strengths. Since I'm looking for a more complete educational experience, UML is now clearly my choice.